'A clear, open space for visitors and the community to sit and enjoy the views', is how those behind West Bay's controversial new welcome hub have described its design.

It comes in response to divided opinion from the public on the hub's edgy new seating.

New benches, designed by artist Michael Pinksy, were unveiled at West Bay last month in the hope the hub will be an attractive space for everyone to enjoy in the centre of the Bay.

But reaction to the benches has been mixed. In response to our story, one reader said: "After years of reading visitors comments about West Bay being dull and mainly concrete, why, oh why would anybody in there right mind make a welcoming centre made out of concrete? This so-called welcome hub is anything but welcoming; cold, dull concrete seating that will require regular cleaning with a pressure washer.

Another said: "Very saddened that after all the waiting, the best they could do was use more cold grey concrete."

"As a child brought up in West Bay in the 50s, it makes me so sad to see the ruination of a once beautiful village into nothing more than a concrete eyesore," another added.

Not all comments, however, were negative.

One reader said the benches 'look and feel great' and add to a 'very sociable setting'.

Responding to the comments, Dorset Coast Forum said the benches were designed after a public consultation and aim to reflect the curves and shapes of the local land and seascape.

Project lead, Sally King, said: "Dorset Coast Forum and project partners held two rounds of consultation for the West Bay welcome hub project, firstly in summer 2017 to understand out how locals and visitors currently use this space and what they would like to see here. The project was positively received with a wide range of comments and suggestions, highlighting a strong view to maintain seating and motorbike parking in this area, to remove the concrete blocks that are currently there and replace with attractive surfacing. The second round of engagement held in July 2018 displayed Michael Pinsky’s proposed design and concepts for the hub.

"As a result of the feedback, options were explored to include shrubs/trees as part of the design and it was concluded that shrubs/trees would not be part of the design for a number of reasons including the limited plants and trees that are compatible with the particular environment, who provides ongoing long term maintenance of any planters, the encouragement of rodents or seagulls to the area and to keep unobstructed visibility from side to side of the harbour for when people use the benches.

"The aesthetics of the design and providing a clear, open space for visitors and the community to sit enjoy the views and food kiosks was the main focus. The circular design echoing the circular space at the end of the sea defences pier and circular areas at the start of the pier at west promenade to provide a more cohesive approach for West Bay’s public spaces."